Social Justice Books

Critically reviewed selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.

Little Night/Nochecita

Reviewed by: Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores: The Raza Experience in Books for Children Book Author: In this beautiful inverted go-to-bed story, full of magical realism and lots of love, Mamá Cielo (Mother Sky) convinces her young daughter, Nochecita (Little Night) to come out and darken the sky so that everyone can sleep. While Morales […]

The Little Doctor / El Doctorcito

Reviewed by Elena Young Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Reviewer Elena Young is a volunteer with Teaching for Change and aspires to be a social studies teacher. The Little Doctor/El Doctorcito is about a child (Salvador) and his grandmother navigating the health care system in the United States. Salvador’s grandmother asks him to accompany […]

Home at Last

Reviewed by Katelyn Campbell Review Source: Independent Book Author: Home at Last shares the story of a small child, Lester, struggling to adjust during his transition from foster care into a new home with his two adopted fathers. Although Lester is excited to join his new family and their dog from the start of the story, […]

Baby’s First Words

Reviewed by CCBC Review Source: Cooperative Children’s Book Center Book Author: A toddler’s day provides the story arc of a board book that offers engagement, affirmation, and delight, showing a mixed-race, gay-parented family. “Good morning!” reads the primary text on the opening page spread. The colorful scene includes word labels for “baby” (the girl), “bed,” […]

Rainbow Weaver / Tejedora de Arcoiris

Teaching Ideas Reviewed by Rebecca Lehr Review Source: Independent Book Author: Reviewer Rebecca Lehr is an art teacher at a bilingual elementary school in Arlington, Virginia. In a rural village in the Guatemalan Highlands, young Ixchel is anxious to learn the ancient art of weaving from her mother. Ixchel adores the vibrant colors and patterns of […]

Mango, Abuela, and Me

Reviewed by Beverly Slapin Review Source: De Colores Reviews  Book Author: Young Mia has a problem—her Spanish-speaking abuela has just arrived from the countryside to live with her and her family; and Mia, who speaks English only, cannot communicate as quickly and effectively as she wants to. Which means that, although the two are developing […]